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North Carolina First Lady gets flu shot to inspire others to follow her lead

North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen teamed up to try to get people to get their flu shots. They got there's in front of rolling cameras on the Dorothea Dix Campus' Clinic for State employees.

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By
Mandy Mitchell
, WRAL reporter

North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen teamed up to try to get people to get their flu shots. They got there's in front of rolling cameras on the Dorothea Dix Campus' Clinic for State employees.

"One of my first duties being First Lady was to get the flu from a child I had been reading to," said Cooper.

"The flu shot works. It doesn't hurt. You didn't see us crying,"said Cohen.

Health officials are particularly concerned about this flu season because of how tough the flu season in Australia has been. Australia's season, which is often use as a predictor for the U.S., has seen a record number of flu cases and 662 deaths.

"So we always look toward Australia because they have their flu season before ours and so we are watching that closely," Cohen said.

And that is why many people are heading the warnings right now and trying to beat the germs before they strike.

"One time I did get it and I was sick for three weeks, it was probably about ten years ago but it was rough and I don't want that to ever happen again," said Raleigh resident Stephanie Cortes.

According to recent statistics, the shot offers about 40-60% protection but even if you do get the flu, the shot should help you beat it faster.

"It not only protects you from getting the flu but it protects the rest of your community to make sure you are not spreading germs all around," said Cohen.

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